Aussie Gold

Sediments and rocks deposited in rift basins occurred 1.7 to 1.6 billion years ago in NSW. These rocks were deformed, bent, broken, and compressed 1.6 billion years ago. Mineralization of these rocks occurred in the Broken Hill region in the western part of the state. Proterozoic rocks formed part of Rodinia 1.1 billion years ago lasting to about 800 million years ago. The Delamerian uplift represented the breakup of Rodinia 1.0 billion to 490 million years ago. Eastern Delamerian rocks formed the Adelaide Rift Complex or Koonenberry Belt. Shallow and deep water felsic and mafic lavas accumulated along the edge of the Australian plate. The Bathurst Batholith was emplaced as a post tectonic granite pluton possibly related to the New England orogen. The end of the Delamaerian orogen marked the end of cratonization and began an extended period of weathering. This book attempts to focus on mineralization associated with the different orogenic events occurring throughout NSW geologic history. Chapter 1 begins with a general geologic history of NSW. Chapter 2 presents the Lachlan Fold Belt mineralization and mining. Chapter 3 discusses the Broken Hill Hydrothermal Inversion event. Chapter 4 summarizes mine geology and recovery histories. Chapter 5 presents mineralization of the Hill End Trough. Chapter 6 extends the discussion of the Hill End into other mining districts. Chapter 7 offers a geologic field trip excursion from Sydney to Peak Hill discussing mine districts along the route. Chapter 8 presents the properties of the Mudgee-Gulgong Mining District. Chapter 9 presents the New England and Clarence orogen. Chapter 10 presents mineralization in the Stanthorpe-Texas area. Chapter 11 describes granite dimension stone in the New England Granite Belt. Chapter 12 describes limestone resources of the Texas area. Chapter 13 briefly describes the Bolivia Quartz Mine near Tenterfield, NSW. Chapter 14 provides and introduction to the Wandsworth Volcanic Group. Chapter 15 describes the tectonics and landforms of the New England region. Chapter 16 describes the geologic and geomorphic evolution of the Central Volcanic Province. Chapter 17 presents a geologic guide to sapphire deposits in the Central Volcanic Province of New England. Chapter 18 introduces the Copeton/Bingara diamond field. Chapter 19 presents the Timbarra Gold Prospect in leucogranites. Chapter 20 summarizes the NSW paleodrainage and alluvial prospects.